ID Theft

Minneapolis Police say at least 36 people are the victims of a recently discovered identity theft ring that was operating in the metro area. On Wednesday, investigators in the financial crimes unit displayed many of the stolen items and forged documents that are causing theft victims to scramble to repair the damage.

Edina-based Dairy Queen is the latest company hit by cyber criminals, as an undisclosed number of stores have reportedly been hit by a data breach. Information including customers’ credit and debit card data may have been lifted.

Four Twin Cities residents pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court for stealing personal information from hundreds of people and using it to create fake documents and counterfeit checks that were passed at retail stores to purchase expensive merchandise, which was then returned to the stores for cash.

A 44-year-old woman pleaded guilty Thursday to receiving $600 in connection with a multi-state identity theft ring that stole about $2 million from retail stores and financial institutions, the Department of Justice said.

A 43-year-old woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to taking part in a large-scale identity theft ring that spanned multiple states and robbed businesses and financial institutions of around $2 million, the Department of Justice said.